Mounting enclosure for lighting fixtures



Oct 2, 1951 s. DEUTSCH l-:T AL

MOUNTING ENCLOSURE FOR LIGHTING FIXTURES 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 23, 1948 I8 I? I 36 II IO I5 I8 30 Oct 2, 1951 s. DEUTSCH ET Al. 2,569,518

MOUNTING ENcLosURE TOR LIGHTING FIXTURES Filed Aug. 23, 1948 5 Sheet's-Sheet 2 a law oct' 2 1951 s. DEUTSCH ET AL MOUNTING ENCLOSURE FOR LIGHTING FIXTURES 3 SheetshSheet 3 Filed Aug. 25, 19.48

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57 s o a7 'as Patented Oct. 2, 1951 MOUNTING ENoLos'URE FORLIGHTING FIXTURES Simon Deutschl and Roland.y A. Manning, Sheboygan,n Wis., assignors to Moe-Bridges Corporation, Sheboygan', .Wisn a corporation of Wis- Application August es, 194s, serial No. 45,632

rI;his invention relatessto a mounting enclosure for lighting pictures cmdA component parts thereof and more particularly to a decorative lighting installation which presents toA the observer a continuous line of light generatedby either a single lamp or a plurality of lam-ps mounted behind a decorative valance. The invention while not limited theretoaffords a unitaryl installation comprising a single or a pluralityof linearly aligned self-contained lamp fixtures for producing a substantially-even light distribution along the length of the installation', the light source: being mounted behind the Valance.

The invention more especially contemplates installations comprising a plurality of' aligned uoreseent or other types'of tubular lar-nps. or a` combination of tubular and otherr types of lamps or finally onlylampsother than the tubular type.- The inventionaifords not only an aligned' support for a plurality off lamps4 andv lamp xtures, but also` an ornamental valance which shields'v the lamps to any desired degree and which en hances; the decorative elTeot oi?v the installation;

In carrying out the invention, we provide a valance assemblycomprisingv componentv elements which not only afford a valance assembly but also themounting, ofV the Valancefrom a supporting wall and the mounting of one'or a plural'- ity of lightingfixtures` on certain ofV saidcorn-l ponent elements. l

The inventionV is particularlyadvantageous for mounting a plurality of axially aligned lamp fixtures for tubular fluorescent lamps,` such asI disclosed in our copendingV application Serial Number 681,472, filed,l July-5, 1946. Sai'd application discloses a fluorescent light fixture which affords in-line end-to-endt installation of` a plurality of fixtures,l wherebydirectconnections of a supply cirouitis/ made to one of the-flxtures while the other fixtures are electrically connected in parallel'tothe first xtre by cooperating circuit connector elements at the ends of the s claimt.l (01.24.02

structural elements which may be assembled in a variety of ways to provide a corresponding decorative lighting installation.

Another object isY to make certain of the aforementioned elements interchangeable so as to afford different assemblies of lighting installations.

` Another object is to provide a lighting system which can readily be changed or extended after initialV installation thereof.

Another object is to provide a lightingsystem which by proper selection of theA various structural elements can readily be assembled so as` to afford any one ofV anumber of lightingeiects; Another object is to provide an installation which requires a minimum of fixed wiring, while aording the possibility ofV rearrangement and extension without any change in such xed wirmg.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description.

The accompanying drawings are illustrativer of various components and' various modes of as'- sembly thereof" to form a completerlighting installation embodying the present invention. In` the drawings,

Fig. 1 isa schematic perspective of two tubular lighting fixtures' assembledv on supporting brackets in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2' is a front elevation of the assembly shown in Fig. 1, with the addition of` fronti and end decorative parts of a valance.

,Fig..=3' i's a top view of the assembly in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 isa perspective of an end mounting bracket of the assembly shown in Figs: l' to 3';

Fig; 5 is a perspective ofV a' partia1 assembly`, including. an intermediate mounting bracket of the assembly showninligs. l,2,an`d 3;

Fig. 6. is a fragmentary' rear; view ofja pair of axially' aligned tubular' lamp' lighting fixtures ini close juxtaposition to each'A other.

Fig. 'Tis a perspective ofi a supporting element forj the valance, which" may` be substituted for sary auxiliariesr for connecting the. lamp into' circuit. The base" is, provided". with sockets; for the support of'l a fluorescent" tube;

unit is also provided at opposite ends with a pair of male terminals I3 and female terminals I4, respectively, by means of which the unit may be connected to a supply circuit and the several units may also be connected in parallel with each other to said circuit in accordance with the disclosure in the aforementioned application. However, other suitable types of fluorescent lamp xtures may be employed in connection with the present invention as will appear hereinafter.

The two fixtures are supported near their respective ends by channel shaped sheet metal brackets I5, shown more in detail in Figs. 4 and 5. The central web of the bracket is provided with suitable slots I6 for the passagev of screws by means of which it may be attached to a supporting surface. The side walls of the bracket are provided with elongated slots I'I for the passage of screws I8 in the fixture I0, for attachment of the fixture to the bracket. The bracket I is of such transverse dimension that it embraces the housing II and of such lengths as to afford the mounting of two xtures in alignment and in close juxtaposition with or spaced apart a longitudinally adjustable distance from each o ther. In the latter event a flexible cord connector I9 (shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2) provided with male and female ends, respectively, is interposed between the female and male terminals of the unit. The brackets I5 which are employed at the outer ends of the assembly may have attached thereto end frames which are generally of rectangular shape and which are provided with an upturned top flange 2|, a front ange 22, a channel like bottom ange 23, and an angle bracket 24, riveted or welded to the end panel 20. The end frames 26 are made in two symmetrical forms, for right and left hand mounting, as will be apparent from the drawing. The frame 20 when attached to the bracket I5 depends below the latter and is attached thereto by screws or rivets passing through the flange 2| and the angle bracket 24. The ends of the flange 22 have cut therein slots 25 for the passage therethrough of angular supporting clips 26 and 2, respectively, arranged for sliding engagement therein. The clips 26 and 21 may be secured to the frame 20 by means of screws 28 which pass through slots 29 in the frame 2U, thus permitting their adjustment relative to the flange 22.

Adjustably attached to the center bracket I5 (Fig. 5) by means of a screw 3I is a strap 3U to which in turn is attached a generally U-shaped shield support 35. Fastened to the upper edge of the 35 is a strap 32, which is adapted to register with the strap 30 and which may be adjustably fastened thereto by means of a screw 33 passing through an adjusting 'slot 34 in the strap 32. By this arrangement it is possible to adjust the distance of the shield support 35 relative to the wall surface to which the bracket I5 is attached. The center shield support 35 is provided at its upper and lower edges with struck-up finger like projections 36, the purpose of which will be explained. The end frames 20 may be provided with corresponding projections 31. Suitable decorative end panels 38 may be inserted between the projections 31 of the end frames 2l) and decorative front panels or Valances 39, which may be transparent or translucent, may be supported on the support 35 by the inturned bracket and spring clips 40 and 4 I, and the clips 26 and 21, respectively, to extend longitudinally between corresponding brackets and in front of the lamps. In that event an additional decorative panel 42 may be mounted between the linger like projections 36 in front of the shield support 35.

Instead of using the intermediate shield support 35, it is also possible to attach only the strap 30 directly tothe brackets I5 (Fig. '7)v and provide this strap with a downward projection 43 to which a decorative panel or the like 44 (shown in dotted lines) may be attached. The strap 30, however, may be entirely omitted if an intermediate support of panel 44 is not desired.

The intermediate bracket I5 and panel 42 may be entirely omitted in which case the decorative front panel or valance 39 extends as a single unit between the two end panels (not shown).

If the installation is below the line of vision it may be desirable to cover the space above the light source with a decorative shield 50 (Fig. 9 and also in dotted lines Figs. 3 and 8). To support the shield 50, a Z-shaped bracket 5I may be welded or otherwise fastened to the upper flange 2I of the end frames 20. The shield 50 is thus secured against lengthwise movement, while if desired means may be provided to secure it against crosswise movement.

It will be apparent that the intermediate and end brackets alford considerable adjustment in the length of the individual unit so that the longitudinal distance between lamps may be varied over a wide range by virtue of the shielding panels or valance the installation affords a unitary and pleasing appearance and the light which is radiated by the unit is evenly distributed, thus affording a great flexibility in installation.

As aforestated the panels 39 may be made of transparent or translucent material thus permitting some light to pass through them. When provided with decorative designs the artistic effect of the installation will be enhanced. They may also be made of a thin piece of wood, metal or cardboard and covered with a fabric or other material which matches the interior of the room in which they are used. Similar arrangements are possible with respect to the end panels 3B.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with tubular lamps arranged end to end, it will be apparent that it may also 'be used in connection with incandescent or other lamps of various shapes which are supported on the valance supports, rather than independent thereof. Similarly, instead of employing the combined unitary fluorescent fixtures arranged in tandem circuit, independent fixtures including their supports and necessary ballast and regulating devices with separate supply wires may be employed. Other modifications within the scope of the appended claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A decorative lighting installation adapted to employ one or more tubular light sources, comprising at least one generally tubular lighting fixture, a plurality of channel-shaped supporting brackets therefor having their sides spaced to receive said fixture, there being at least a bracket at an end of the installation, an end frame for said end bracket and extending transversely thereof and outwardly therefrom to beyond the light source, a valance partially supported by said end frame, and means for supporting the opposite end of said valance independently of said end frame.

2. A decorative lighting installation adapted vto employ one or more tubular light sources, comprising at least one generally tubular lighting iixture, a plurality of channel-shaped supporting brackets therefor having their sides spaced to receive said fixture, there being at least one bracket at each end of the installation, an end frame for each of said end brackets and extending transversely thereof and outwardly therefrom to beyond the light source, and a valance at least partially supported by said end frames.

3. A decorative lighting installation adapted to employ one or more tubular light sources, comprising at least one generally tubular lighting fixture, a plurality of channel-shaped supporting brackets therefor having their sides spaced to receive said xture, there being at least one bracket at each end of the installation and an intermediate bracket, an end frame for each of said end brackets and extending transversely thereof and outwardly therefrom to beyond the light source, a longitudinally disposed frame carried by said intermediate bracket spaced from and substantially parallel to said light source on the side thereof opposite said intermediate bracket and toward which said end frames extend, and a valance carried by said frames.

4. A decorative lighting installation adapted to employ one or more tubular light sources, comprising atleast one generally tubular lighting fixture, a plurality of channel-shaped supporting brackets therefor having their sides spaced to receive said fixture, there being at least one bracket a-t each end of the installation and an intermediate bracket, an end frame for each of said end brackets and extending transversely thereof and outwardly therefrom to beyond the light source, a longitudinally disposed frame carried by said intermediate bracket spaced from and substantially parallel to said light source on the side thereof opposite said intermediate bracket and toward which said end frames extend, and a valance carried by said frames, said valance including an end member carried by each of said end frames and at least one longitudinal member disposed between said end frames.

5. In a decorative lighting installation having a plurality of elongated lighting fixtures substantially in longitudinal alignment with each other, a channel-shaped supporting bracket having its sides spaced for receiving the adjacent ends of said fixtures so as to bridge and secure them together, an arm secured to said bracket and extending transversely to the longitudinal axes of said ixtures towards and beyond the open side of said channel-shaped bracket, a longitudinally disposed frame secured to said arm and spaced laterally from said iixture and substantially parallel with the said axes, and a Valance supported by said frame and extending lengthwise of said xtures.

6. In a decorative lighting installation having a plurality of elongated lighting fixtures substantially in longitudinal alignment with each other, a channel-shaped supporting bracket having its sides spaced for receiving the adjacent ends of said fixtures so as to bridge and secure them together, an arm secured to one of the sides of said bracket and extending transversely to the longitudinal axes of said fixture towards and beyond the open side of said channel-shaped bracket and having its one end turned substantially parallel to the base of said bracket, and a valance supported by the turned end of the said arm and extending lengthwise of said fixtures.

SIMON DEUTSCH.

ROLANDA. MANNING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UN'TED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,288,941 Curtis July 7, 1942 2,291,491 Naysmith July 28, 1942 2,295,788 I-Ioeveler Sept. 15, 1942 2,337,685 Shepmoes Dec. 28, 1943 2,346,779 Muehling Apr. 18, 1944 

